I’ve got a fun challenge for you today that you can do ANYWHERE, and it will take you less than a minute. 

You can use it to check how good your balance is — so you know if it needs some work.  

Balance is something we usually take for granted… but did you know that worldwide, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths?! Yikes! 

Ready for the 10-Second Balance Test?  

Step 1: Stand near a chair or counter that you can grab if you need to.  

Step 2: Simply raise one foot off the floor and stand for 10 seconds. 

You get three tries. 

If you passed the test, that’s awesome! But don’t take it for granted — keep working on your balance. 

If you struggled, it might be time to get serious about improving your balance. I’ve seen studies that found 30% of older adults who took this test couldn’t pass it.  

Here’s the kicker: NOT being able to balance on one leg for 10 seconds was linked with a twofold risk of death (from any cause!) within the next 10 years. 

Many factors can play into balance issues, from strength to medications to inner ear issues, and some health conditions. 

The good news is there are things you can do to improve your balance, with specific balance, stability, and strength exercises as well as T’ai chi, yoga, stretching, and more can all help. 

And the exercise you did in this test can be a good start to help you improve your balance! 

What Pilates Has Done For My Balance and Strength Training

If you’ve been around me, you know that Pilates has become my favorite way to workout.

4 years ago I was struggling with bad neck issues and looking for a workout that I could do and that would help me. By attending regular classes at Club Pilates, I’ve experienced a profound strengthening of my entire body from head to toe. The emphasis on core engagement has given me a newfound sense of stability and contributed to a noticeable improvement in my posture.

What sets Club Pilates apart for me is its unique combination of strengthening, lengthening, flexibility, breath work, and mindfulness, resulting in a sense of inner calm and balance that extends far beyond the studio.

If you’re in Southwest Florida, Shannon and her team have four studios: Fort Myers, Estero, and Cape Coral. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone seeking a holistic fitness and wellness approach to try Club Pilates; it’s been a game-changer for me. And Shannon has gifted me a Free Class Pass to share with my readers (Click here for more details)

It’s time to take control! 

In health,